Egypt Proposes Two-Day Gaza Ceasefire Deal

Latest Developments

Egypt proposed a two-day Gaza ceasefire on October 27 that would see Hamas free four hostages in exchange for some Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said the Egyptian proposal is intended to “move the situation forward” and that talks on a permanent ceasefire should commence within 10 days of implementing the deal for a two-day truce. Israel and Hamas have yet to respond. However, a Palestinian official told Reuters that he anticipated “Hamas would listen to the new offers” but that the Iran-backed terrorist group “remains determined that any agreement must end the war and get Israeli forces out of Gaza.” Israel has repeatedly stated that it cannot prematurely end the war if doing so allows Hamas, which has been badly damaged over the last year, to regroup.

El-Sisi’s announcement came as Mossad Director David Barnea and CIA Director William Burns met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha for the first round of ceasefire and hostage talks in two months. Both Egypt and Qatar have emerged as key mediators between Israel and Hamas. Historically, Cairo has mediated between Israel and Palestinian terrorist groups in Gaza, having served this role during the 2014 Gaza war and again during the 2021 Gaza conflict. 

In November 2023, Egypt and Qatar helped broker a seven-day pause during which Hamas released 81 Israeli hostages in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. The pause collapsed on December 1 when Hamas refused to provide a list of the remaining women and children in captivity and resumed launching rockets at Israel.

Out of the more than 250 hostages Hamas seized on October 7, 2023, 101 remain captive in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on October 24, “We don’t know if Hamas is ready to engage. I anticipate we will learn more in the coming days.”

Expert Analysis

“Israel can negotiate from a position of strength now that it has crushed Hamas, decimated Hezbollah’s leadership, and embarrassed their patron Iran in its direct confrontations. At the same time, Israel’s fundamental dilemma — a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages from their hellish captivity could simultaneously weaken Israeli security by freeing dangerous terrorists and allowing Hamas and its allies to rebuild — remains the same.”— David May, FDD Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

“For Cairo, implementing this ‘mini ceasefire’ would be significant: it would mark a key first victory for newly appointed intelligence chief Hassan Rashad and may help ease Arab street tensions over Gaza.” — Mariam Wahba, FDD Research Analyst

“The chances that a short-term ceasefire will halt the war entirely are very low. Israel will understandably be reticent about releasing dangerous Palestinian terrorists from its jails and curbing its military operations in exchange for just four hostages. It may be willing to take the risk if a much larger number are set free at the outset.” — Ben Cohen, FDD Senior Analyst and Rapid Response Manager

Related Analysis

“Israeli Delegation Will Travel to Qatar for Renewed Talks on Hostages Held by Hamas,” FDD Flash Brief

“November Ceasefire in Gaza Collapsed After Hamas Lied About Female Hostages,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Shuns New Talks on Gaza Ceasefire,” FDD Flash Brief